Unplugging: Music industry plagued by lawsuits

Posted August 25, 2012 - 09:55
by
Lily Angelle, MXDWN

This week, music was inevitably plagued with controversy involving lawsuits, tragedy, politically incorrect statements and more.

The pending lawsuit over the use of the name Kyuss Lives! has reached its verdict in which the name can only be used in concert for ongoing reunion events. The lawsuit came to be when former Kyuss members Josh Homme and Scott Reeder filed against former band mates John Garcia and Brant Bjork for the continuation of the band’s title after their leave.

Judge S. James Otero announced Monday that Kyuss Lives! Can only use their name in concert, ruling out recordings. Unable to use their title on any further material releases, Otero said, "It may be in Defendants’ best interest to begin re-branding under a new name."

Last weekend’s V Festival in England, though a musical success, ended in tragedy when two men were found dead following the festival’s end. Thus far, only one man has been identified, while the other incident is undergoing investigation.

The identified victim was a 22 year-old Timothy Brockhurst, found dead inside a tent at the Staffordshire festival site. He was found unconscious around 1 A.M, and was later pronounced dead after receiving first aid. So far there is no evidence of foul play. The second victim was a 29 year-old man found dead in the backyard of a private residence located near the festival site. Examinations have revealed that he died from severe head trauma, and police have made ten arrests as suspects to the victim’s murder. The festival deaths are continuing to be investigated.

Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti is currently being sued by former drummer Aaron Sperske for $1 million. Sperske filed the lawsuit under the claim that the band is violating an "oral partnership" agreement the members established between themselves in 2008 by failing to pass along the proper royalties. Sperske is claiming 25% ownership of the songs off th band’s forthcoming release, Mature Themes.

As he wrote the songs along with Ariel Rosenberg, Tim Koh and Kenny Gilmore, he feels "entitled to profits from royalties and future shows." Sperske filed the lawsuit earlier this month. Mature Themes was released August 21st in the U.S.

Rhythm guitarist of The Dillinger Escape Plan, Jeff Tuttle, has amicably left the New Jersey based band. Tuttle’s former band mates expressed an extreme amount of respect and support for his decision in an official statement, saying that "whatever the future holds for our relationship with him, we love him and wish him well and success as a brother who has gone into battle with us for six years." Tuttle also released a statement reflecting on the fond memories he shared with The Dillinger Escape Plan. "The years I’ve spent with this band have been some of the greatest in my life," he said.

Hank Williams is making quite a stir with his latest politically incorrect comment against President Barack Obama. During an appearance at the Iowa State Fair, the Des Moines Register reported that in front of an audience of around 8,500 people, Williams Jr. publicly claimed, "We’ve got a Muslim president who hates farming, hates the military, hates the US and we hate him!"

This is certainly not Williams Jr.’s only attack against Obama, as last fall ESPN stopped using a Williams song as a theme jingle after Williams Jr. drew comparisons to Obama and Hitler during an interview on Fox News.